Sound picture record container



1933- H. c. HARRISON SOUND PICTURE RECORD CONTAINER Filed Oct. 31. 1929 //v l ENTOP h! C. HARP/SON W A 7'7O/P/VE) Patented Dec. 19, 1933 SOUND PICTURE RECORD CONTAINER Henry 0. Harrison, Port Washington, N. Y., assignor to Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New g York Application October 31, 1929. Serial No. 403,701

Claims. (Cl. -52) This invention relates to sound picture record containers and more particularly to special arrangements whereby a separate sound record is permanently associated with the corresponding 5 film record.

In the well known type of sound picture system to which the invention applies, it is customary to record the picture record on ordinary film and the corresponding sounds on a phonograph record operating synchronously withthe camera. In using a record speed of 33 revolutions per minute and 86 to 98 grooves per inch, which have been found to be desirable values from an engineering standpoint, it is necessary to make the phonograph record about 16" diameter in order that its playing time shall be from 10 to 11 minutes as required for the projection of an ordinary reelof film. Commercial pressing from such a record is ordinarily A," in thickness and weighs 1 lbs. A' record of this kind properly packed together with a-reel of film in a suitable container therefore comprises a complete sound picture record for shipment.

This arrangement is objectionable for various reasons. It involves separate packing of the two parts of the record and hence often gives rise to confusion due to shipping either a film or disc record which does not relate to the subject matter intended to be sent. Separate packing moreover involves considerable labor and expense and also makes it likely that trouble will be experienced in the projection room due to misplacing the record, or to errors in packing.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to minimize the errors due to mislaying or interchanging such records and to provide a novel system for storing and shipping them, but which is at the same time more convenient and less costly than the arrangements now employed.

In accordance therefore with the general features of the invention the sound accompanying a picture is recorded on a special blank of record material of such physical characteristics and dimensions that it may readily be packed in a film container of standard diameter. The film container used is divided into separate compartments for the film and the discs and means is provided whereby it is impossible to pack a container with any but the proper records. A feature of the invention is the use, for the sound record, of a relatively thin disc of cellulose acetate or similar substance which requires comparatively little packing space and due to its composition will not be adversely affected by temperature or humidity conditions which are suitable for the film. Preferably a hill and dale type groove is used and the groove spacing and the recording speed are such that the full sound accompaniment for a standard reel may be recorded conveniently on this relatively small record.-

Additionally, a keying system is employed which in one form involves the use of markings individual to the subject matter of the picture dividing the center blank portion of the disc record into a number of sectors, suchas three, which may be of different colors for easy identification. In each of these sectors 3. hole is punched in one of ten positions, the hole in each sector being at a difierent distance from the record center. Corresponding pins are provided in the disc receptacle so that only records having the proper perforations may be accommodated. By means of the same combination of pins in the other compartment, only the desired film reel may be placed in it and assurance that the proper film is wound on the reel may be obtained if desired by the use of code perforations in the end of the film cooperating with pins on the reel at the clamping point.

This keying system applied to a preferred form of unitary container is shown in the accompanyingdrawing in which Fig. 1 is a general view of the container and records partly in section; 3

Fig. 2 is an exploded View of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 shows a portion of one of the special sound records marked in accordance with the invention and also indicates schematically the special reproducer described;

Fig. 4 shows a portion of the container cover having marking corresponding to the record; and

Fig. 5 is a detail of the hub of a film reel showing how the film may be keyed to it.

The assembly of Fig. 1 will be better understood from a consideration of the exploded view as shown in Fig. 2 in which 1 is the body of ordinary film can, except that it is lined with a layer of felt 2. In assembling the unit the sound record or preferably duplicate records 3-3, separated by a ring of felt 4; are placed in the lid 5 which is also lined with felt 8 with the pins 6 in the holes 7 of the records and the lid 5 is then inserted in the body portion 1 as shown in Fig. 1. The pins 6 protrude from a metal disc 9 which is rotatably mounted in the lid 5 by a pin 10 which also holds in place a similar smaller 5 disc 11 having corresponding pins 22. The pin the container which is similar to that of an 10 is made larger at either end so that the lower portion serves as a centering pin for the records to assist in assembling them in the lid 5 and the upper portion provides a similar centering pin for the reel and incidentally a handle by means of which the lid 5 may readily be removed from the body of the container. After the lid 5 is in place, the reel 12 containing the film record corresponding to the sound record already packed, is placed on its centering pin and adjusted until the key pins 22 in the disc 11 are fitted into the holes 15 in the lower side of the reel. To complete the assembly it is only necessary to put on the outer cover 14, which has key pins 16 which fit into corresponding holes on the upper side of the reel.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, which show in detail the marking applied to the record and the outer cover respectively as indicated, the central portion is divided into three sectors which may be of; different colors such as red,

white and blue as indicated. Each of these sectors on the cover is plainly marked such as by large dots 17,18, 19 opposite one of the ten positions so that the record within the con- "markings are on different centers it will be obvious that a great many combinations may be obtained without duplication and as the sound records, the film reel and the cover are all keyed to correspond with the marking on the 7 container lid, only the proper records can be placed in a given container. The film 21 also may be marked at its ends with the numbers characteristic of that particular record, or if it is believed desirable, perforations may be made in the film 21 as shown in Fig. 5 which will fit 1. A shipping container for sound picture rec'- ords comprising a metal container, an inner cover for enclosing a disc sound record within the container, an outer cover for enclosing a reel of picture film within the container, and keying members on the inner cover for engaging the disc and the reel when packed in the container.

2. The combination with a' phonograph record having characteristic markings, a corresponding picture record of strip material coiled on a reel having characteristic markings and a unitary container for the records, of keying means secured to the container and engaging the characteristic markings whereby only corresponding records may be placed in the container.

3. The combination with a sound record and a reel carrying a corresponding picture record, and a container having separate compartments for the sound and picture records of keying means within the compartments and cooperating with the sound record and the picturereel.

4. In combination a sound picture record container, a sound record having keying perforations within the container, an inner cover having members engaging the perforations and other members extending above the cover, a reel carrying a picture record and having perforations in one side engaging the other members and other perforations, and an outer cover for the containerhaving on its outer side marking corresponding to the perforations and members on its inner side cooperating with the other perforations in the reel.

5. In combination, a sound picture record container, a disc sound record within the container the'central portion of the disc having a plurality of sets of perforation positions and a perforation in at least one of thepositions, an

HENRY C. HARRISON. 

